my LFS has a special on a 5g tank with live rock and 2 clown fish. I was talking to the guy and he said he'd bump it up to a 11g for the same price for me(I have 2 of the same 11g's in different colours, I really like 'em, they are tall instead of wide.

I'm not sure about the clown fish so I may ask to take something else. I think clown fish would probably take the whole bio-load? I'd like some of those cool colourful shrimp and they have those tube worm things at the LFS also. What kind of fish could be added? I'd prefer something smaller so I could have a bit of variety. Also peaceful of course. Also I'd like to get a star fish if at all possible. Which kind would be suggested for a tank of this size?

Thanks for the help, my parents are also getting the same kit but are keeping the clown fish so I'll be able to watch those sometimes too LOL. It'll be my first attempt at salt water so hardy fish are appreciated.

Personally if you wanted the Clowns only go with 1, the chances are if you got 2 one would be dead within a few months due to them being highly territorial (it will be a female that is left)

If you want to leave the Clowns and go for something else then there is a nice variety of small fish that can be chosen for an 11g Nano-reef. The majority of these fish are Gobies which are very nicely coloured fish and most of them stay quite small.

If you check out <a href='http://s13.invisionfree.com/TropicalFish/index.php?showtopic=405' target='_blank'>this</a> thread you will see a few articles I have put together which explain the equipment and setting up of a Nano-reef. There is still 2 more to come but once they are done they will be moved to the Articles section of the site so they are easier to find.

I'm allright with just the inverts if that would be better. I love 'em. Maybe some turbo snails/nerites, shrimp and a starfish or something? I'd love to set up a full reef for shure. I just don't have that much space right now >___<

Sam wrote: You say some inverts, You wouldn't be able to use as much as you'd like in a 11g.

Thanks that was useful :unsure:

What would I be able to add? Would a star fish be too much of a bioload. I know turbo snails can get large and use up a lot of the bioload so I'd probably also leave them out. Maybe just shrimp and coral then, how many shrimp around could be fit into something of that size?

There arent many stars that are kept in the hobby, but it is possible to keep one in the proposed 11g. The most popular are the Brittle stars, but stay away from green ones because they can reach 2ft in leg span.

Shrimps are also a cool addition, you could get a pair of shrimp in your tank, along with other inverts for clean up etc. A couple of Astrea snails wouldn't go a miss either, and maybe a couple of Scarlet reef hermits.

Thanks Kev, obviously everything will be added slowly overtime and I'll most likely order specially since the LFS I go too doesn't have a huge salt selection. Thankfully they'll take care of it for a few days before I get a chance to head there!